Washing device for photographs and the like



June 4, 1940. K. DAVIS WASHING DEVICE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE LIKE Filed July 19, 1939 I I I I I I I r I I I n INVENTOR [z'flrallz Kim/1.5"

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ATTORNEY Patented June 4, 1946 PATENT OFFICE WASHING Davies FOR PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE LIKE Lincoln K. Davis, Brockton, Mass. Application'July 19, 1939, Serial No. 285,329

11 Claims.

The invention relates to devices for washing or. otherwise treating photographic prints or the like, such as disclosed in copending application Serial No. 225,710, filed August 19, 1938.

In the earlier application the washer comprises a book of bibulous, flexible, fabric leaves bound together at one end, the leaves otherwise being separable for the insertion and removal of the photographic prints, negatives or other work it is desired to treat.

The present invention relates to an improved binding for the book, providing more effective liquid supply and permitting convenient disassembly of the book and the separate leaves for drying after use. The present invention, furthermore, contemplates the use of a stiff backing acting as a book cover and an improved easel construction for supporting the book in upright position during the washing operation.

According to a preferred embodiment, a pile of cloth sheets arelooped over a perforated water supply pipe, forming a single multi-layer bight. The backing comprises a stiff plate having its upper margin curled to form a falciform roll into which the single multi-layer bight snugly fits. The roll may be sufficiently closed so that it must be sprung slightly to admit the folded-over pile of cloth leaves, or other devices may be provided for holding the edges of the cloth leaves in the holder.

In one form, the easel assists in holding the book assembled and the stiff backing cooperates with the easel to form a support for the book. The easel may comprise L-shaped legs appropriately secured to the projecting ends of the per forated pipe and having feet engaging in'holes in the lower margin of the supporting plate or backing. The legs may turn about their own axes so that they may be folded flat against the backing for shipping purposes.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the-novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring 9 to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled device in its preferred form;

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of the device of Fig. 1 taken at A-A therein;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front view of a portion of a section taken at B--B in Fig. l;

Fig. 4isan end. view of the'device of Fig. 1,

showing an'alternative construction of one detail; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a device like that of Fig. l, but simplified.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawing.

In the drawing accompanying and forming part of this specification, certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for purposes of explanation, but it will be understood that the details may be modified in various respects without departure from the broad aspect of the invention.

Referring now to Fig. l, the book I is made of one or more leaves of cloth 8, which are looped over a length of small pipe or tubing 2, the latter having perforations 3 throughwhich water can pass from it into the cloth book. Each end of the pipe has attached to it a fitting 9, in which is inserted a leg l2 having a lower portion bent forward to form a foot 25. The leg is held in the fitting by a screw l0, which may be used to prevent the leg from turning on its own axis, as will be pointed out below. One end of the pipe 2 is closed, as at 6, while the other is open and adapted to fit a hose 5 connecting to a faucet or other water supply.

The book I rests against a back plate I! having an upper rolled portion or clamp 4 of falciform shape, which serves to hold the cloth leaves in positionaround the pipe. The foot of each leg enters a hole IS in its corresponding lower corner of the back plate, and is there held from slipping by a notch l9, which may be seen clearly in Fig. 2. In forming the foot, the leg is bent to form an acute angle slightly greater than that it must take when the foot is entered into the hole, so that when the device is assembled, the leg and foot are under compression, and thus an upward thrust is exertedon the pipe, which in turn holds the leaves snugly up under the clamp, and also makes the whole assembly firm and rigid.

The side sectional View, Fig. 2, illustrates how the cloth leaves 8 are looped over the pipe 2 and held up'under the clamp 4 by the pressure exerted on the pipe'by the legs l2. It also shows an optional filter strip 22, a piece of narrow and porous cloth, felt, paper, etc., which is folded lengthwise around the pipe, and serves to catch the bulk of any dirt or foreign matter in the water, thus retarding contamination of the cloth book. The filter strip may be Washed readily or discarded and replaced with a clean one, as

desired.

Fig. 3 shows the construction of the fitting 9 and the manner in which the filter strip 22 is placed around the pipe, the cloth leaves being omitted for the sake of clarity. In making the fitting 9, the axial hole which received the upper end of the leg I2 is drilled not quite into the transverse hole through which the pipe 2 passes,

leaving a thin portion I 4. In assembly, the pipe 2 is placed in position, and then a rounded punch is entered in the axial hole and driven against the portion I l, forcing it slightly into the pipe and thus securing the latter firmly in the fitting 9. The leg I2 has turned on it'a ball I3, against which the cupped end I I of the screw I0 bears. When first assembled, the screw is turned in hard against the ball, which spreads the cupped end, and not only makes good bearing surface,'but the enlarged end prevents the screw from being backed out without forcing, and with the screw in place the leg cannot come out.

To use the device, the photographs or sheets I to be washed are placed between the leaves 8, so that both surfaces of each sheet are in contact with them throughout, and then it is stood uprightin the position shown in Fig. 1 and the water turned on. Water travels through the pipe 2 and is distributed evenly throughout the top part of the bookby the perforations in the pipe. It then flows by gravity downward through each leaf 8 of the book, and thus past. and in contact with the sheets I between the leaves, entering them and diluting any salt, etc., which they may contain, thus gradually displacing the latter with clean water. At the endof a period of time which depends on the character of the sheets being washed, being in general from a half hour to one hour, the displacement will be found to be complete, and the sheets 7 may be removed for drying or othertreatment. The book itself is now clean, and the device may be set aside to drain and dry, or may be used again immediately.

Drying may be hastened, if desired, by removing the leaves from the book and separating the leaves. The feet 25 are disengaged from the holes in the back plate I1, and then the leaves 8 are grasped at the bottom and pulled out from under the clamp 4, when the leaves 8 may be taken apart for drying, or for laundering if dirty from continued use in localities where the water contains an unusual amount of suspended matter. Instead of taking the leaves apart, after removing from the back plate I7, they may be dried in place on the pipe, the legs being positioned similar to their position in Fig. 1 and the screws I0 tightened to keep them from turning, the back plate not being necessary as a support in this case.

The book is assembled by, first, assembling the filter strip 22 and leaves 8 around the pipe 2, and then pushing the bight under the edge of the clamp 3 against the spring of the clamp 4. Then ;he device may be set up for use by inserting the feet 25 in the holes in the back plate I1, or it may be folded for stowing or packing by turning the feet inwardly toward each other. The screws I0 should be released when the legs I2 are turned, after which they maybe tightened to hold the legs in the desired position.

In case it is more convenient to supply the water at the other end of the device, i. e. at the left, instead of at the right as in Fig. 1, before assembling the book as explained in the preceding paragraph, the pipe 2 may be reversed end for end and the legs may be each rotated onehalf turn. The hose end or the pipe 2 will then extend from the other endof the device, or at the left, as the case may be. v

Fig. 4 shows an alternate leg construction which eliminates the fittings 9. The upper end of the leg H2 is bent to form an eye H5 which encircles the, pipe I02. In. this case it is desirable that the pipe I02 be flattened, to prevent rotation in the eye H5, and thus to maintain the proper position of the holes I03, which in any type of construction should be located so that water will be supplied substantially equally to the two halves of the book I. The lower portion of the leg is made as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the operation is the same, except that folding and reversal .of the legs require their removal from the pipe by sliding the eye off the end.

The legs IIZ may be made of flat or round stock, and a finger portion H6 may be formed,

the eye I I5 then being a light spring fit on the pipe, removal being efiected by pinching the leg I I2 and portion H6 together, which will open the eye and release its grip on the pipe. that, if desired, the finger portion omitted and the friction due to a tight fit may be used to keep the eye I I5 from sliding off pipe I02.

Fig. 5 shows a modification which eliminates the legs. The back plate III has a wing I20at each side, bent backwards or attached at about ninety degrees, and so forming a support. The upper portion of the back plate is bentto form the usual clamp I04, and the pipe may be in this case a perforated continuation of the hose I05,

It is obvious Ilfi may be.

with a plug I06 at the end. The clamp is formed to hold the cloth hook I snugly, compressing the hose slightly, so that its resiliency aids in holding the book in position under the clamp. The other end of the hose connects toa faucet IIMby an adapter I23. The supporting wings I20 may be hinged to the back plate if it is desired that the device fold fiat.

The material of the book is preferably a bleached plain-weave cotton .cloth of substantial thickness, but of loose and relatively soft construction. If too thin, it not only will not conduct water in suflicient volume, but will be diflicult to handle when wet. If the weave is too close or hard, water will not flow as freely as is necessary to keep the washing time at a minimum. Linen crash will also serve the purpose, although if of sufiicient thickness,-is liable to be too hard to allow a satisfactorily rapid water travel. Glass, flannel, felt,- spun rayon, or-even a porous paper may be used, although they suffer from the defects of being toohard, shedding lint, distorting, or otherwise fail'to meet the optimum standards of operation.

The back plate, legs, etc., preferably are made of some corrosion-resistant material such as stainless steel, although it is obvious that other" metals, plastics, or other substances may be used, plated, painted, enameled, or otherwise protected from the liquids which may come in contact with them, if such protection is necessary.

The design shown in by omitting all of-the back plate except the clamp 4, allowing the book to hang suspended vertically the legs, either of the type shown in Fig. 1, or those of Fig. 4. In this case, the back plate would be cut off opposite the front edge of the clamp, leaving a plain C-shaped roll. It will be found that the clinging tendency of the wet cloth will hold the sheets to be washed in position be.

Fig. 1 may be simplified .0 from the pipe 2, the latter being supported by 1 7. a smooth surface, which the efficient and economical in operation, as well as compact and readily portable. Departures may be made in design, such as, for example, by providing for permanent installation in a photographic darkroom, etc.

The removablebinding provides for ready assembly and disassembly, facilitating manufacturing and the removal of the cloth leaves for drying purposes. The curve of the clamp or holder and the spring of the material assist in holding the cloth leaves in assembled position without the assistance of the legs of the easel, as for example, when the legs are folded fiat against the back plate as during shipment or when loading or unloading the washer with photographic prints. The easel provides effective support for the book in convenient position for the washing operation, facilitating the flow of Water downwardly through and between the leaves, and also acts to hold the book in assembled condition. The backing plate forms part of the support and also acts as a back cover, providing rigid support for the flexible leaves, facilitating the loading and unloading of the book.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a washer for photographic sheets, a book comprising a pile of leaves of bibulous fabric and. a removable binding to hold said leaves together along one edge, the leaves being flexible and separable to permit insertion and removal of photographic sheets without removing said binding, a liquid-supplying device associated with said binding, and said leaves being disassemblable from said binding and from each other.

2. In a washer of the type described, a book of leaves made up of a pile of sheets folded over on themselves forming a single, multiple-layer bight, a liquid-supplying conduit disposed within the innermost layer of said bight, a holder partially surrounding said bight, said bight and conduit being removably held within said holder, whereby said sheets may be disassembled from said holder and conduit and from each other.

3. In a photo washer, a' book of cloth leaves made up of a pile of substantially rectangular cloth sheets folded over on a single, multiple-layer bight, a perforated pipe disposed within the innermost layer of said bight, a backing comprising a stiff plate forming a cover for the book, said plate having its edge bent into a partially closed roll, said bight and perforated pipe being yieldably held within said roll, whereby said cloth sheets may be disassembled from the backing, pipe and from each other for drying.

4. A washer for photographic sheets comprising a plurality of leaves of bibulous fabric, a perforated water supply pipe, a holder having a falciform portion, and supporting means attached to said pipe and to said holder and exerting pressure thereon to bind said leaves in book form between said pipe and the inside of said falciform portion.

5. A washing device for thin sheets comprising a flat rectangular plate curled along one edge and having holes in the corners thereof opposite said curled edge, a perforated pipe substantiallly longer than, and located inside, said curled edge, elongate members movably attached to said pipe themselves forming l near its ends, said elongate members being adapted to engage said holes in such a manner as to exert spring pressure on said pipe to hold it inside said curled edge, and a plurality of leaves of bibulous sheet material held between said pipe and said curled portion by the pressure of said elongate members.

6. In a washing device, a book of bibulous leaves, a falciform holder engaging one edge of said book, and a resilient tube of rubber or the like, over which said leaves are looped to form said book, said tube and surrounding leaves being placed inside said holder, whereby said tube is compressed, its resiliency then serving to hold said leaves within. said holder.

7. In an article of the kind described, a book, an elongate member incorporated in said book, supporting rods, each rod having a spring bight surrounding said elongate member, and a finger piece. for enlarging said bight against the spring thereof.

8 In an article of the kind described, a book, a pipe engaging said book, supporting rods for said pipe, connections between said rods and said pipe, each connection comprising a connecting member having a first passage through which said pipe passes, a second passage at right angles v thereto in which the end of the rod is disposed, the bottom of said second passage terminating short of said first passage forming a thin wall, said wall and the adjacent pipe being deformed to hold said pipe and connecting member in assembled position, said rod having a reduced portion provided with an enlargement, a screw member threaded through the wall of said second pasage and having an expansible end which, when screwed against said enlargement, expands thereby preventing withdrawal of the screw and of said rod, said rod being rotatable in said fitting. 9. In a photo washer, a book of leaves made up of a pile of substantially rectangular cloth sheets folded over onthemselves forming a single multiple-layer bight, a perforated pipe disposed within the innermost layer of said bight, a backing comprising a stiff plate forming a cover for the book, said plate having its edge bent into a partially closed roll, supporting rods perforated pipe engaging said leaves, legs supporting said pipe, a rectangular plate engaging said legs at spaced points along one edge and having a curved portion along the opposite edge engaging said leaves, the various parts being so constructed that said legs will support said pipe and leaves apart from said plate.

11. In a washer for photographic sheets, a book comprising a pile of leaves of bibulous fabric and a removable binding to hold said leaves together along one edge, the leaves being flexible and separable to permit insertion and removal of photographic sheets without removing said binding, a liquid-supplying device associated with said binding, a filter also associated with said binding and so located that the liquid from said liquid-supplying device must pass through it before reaching said leaves, and said leaves and filter being disassemblable from said binding and from each other.

LINCOLN K. DAVIS. 

